Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,421, Abial Freeman, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Freeman, Abial
S 17421
Carded.
CONTENTS

15379 Massachusetts
Abial Freeman
of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain John of the Regt commanded by Col Ellis in the Mass line for 16 Days.
Entitled
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 50 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of June 1833 and James Hon J. H. H. H. Present
Arrears to the 4th of June 1833 $106.66 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 26.66 $133.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. H. Clerk, Book 8. Vol. 2, Page 24.
See letter to P. A. G. March 11. 1835 Do to same & H. Clufsen May 23. 1835 set to Pen. agt. June 22. 1835. see affts within
74 David

10283 Abial Freeman
Photo 16 Mrs
1406 May 4 1833
P. 392
$53.33
A Baptiste Tavern Mch
11.1.5

10.283  BRIEF in the case of Abial Freeman  of Pittsborough in the State of Mass s  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70 years —  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     1 Jan y In 1778 ✓ 3 Private Col n M c Taggart Reg t Mil a   10 July — 78 ✓ 6 do Capt n M c Wilmarth Co y enl d 78   Autumn 1779 ✓ 1 do Col n Jacobs Reg t do   June 1780 ✓ 6 do Capt n B Robinsons Co y do   Capt n Millers Co y do   Col n Vose — Reg t do  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Pittsborough —  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? by Witness — & the traditional evidence of two others — one a Clergyman — the latter Certified to be credible persons —  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
E. Stephens Examining Clerk.

No. 283 Abial Freeman
N.C.
7.
Abial Freeman

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Bristol ss. — On this twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable H. Doyles Judge of the Court of Private now sitting at Taunton — in and for said County, Abiah Freeman a resident of Mattapoisett in said County, aged seventy years , who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Mattapoisett in said County of Bristol on the 27 day of March A. D. 1762, and that there is a record of his birth that he confined — : that he was in the United States service from the first day of January A. D. 1778, to the first day of April A. D. 1779 as a Private in the Militia : that he was residing at Mattapoisett aforesaid when he entered the service; that he enlisted and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Moses Wessels of said Mattapoisett  Col. John Deyetts Regt. : that he marched from Mattapoisett to Providence from thence to Pawtucket from thence to Warwick : that he served at said Warwick with the regular troops ; and that the regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle and at the end of his service received no written discharge: that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Mattapoisett aforesaid
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from the 16 day of July A. D. 1778, to the 16 day of January A. D. 1779 as a Private in the Militia : that he was residing at Mattapoisett aforesaid when he entered the service; that he enlisted and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Caleb Richardson of said Mattapoisett first and afterwards under Capt. Ball in Col. Deyetts Regt. of Militia : that he marched from Mattapoisett to Natucket , from thence to Swanzey from — to — : that he served at Swanzey with the regular troops ; and and at Fall River & on Bloody Island during said term — was in Bloody Island at the time of General Sullivan's expedition  the regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge. — —
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from the autumn day of April A. D. 1779, to the day of May A. D. 1779 as a Private in the Militia : that he was residing at Mattapoisett aforesaid when he entered the service; that he enlisted and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Enock Robinson of said Mattapoisett there was another Company in Col. Deyetts Regt. of Militia : that he marched from Mattapoisett to Natucket , from thence to Providence from — to — : that he served at Providence with Capt. Pomeroy & John Patten and others of the regular troops; and that the regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge.

Also, that he was in the United States Service from the first part of June 1780 to the December following as a private in the Continental service that he was stationed at Middleborough upon which when he entered the Service. That he enlisted and served for the period of six months as above stated under the command of Capt. Miller in Col. Vose's Reg't Glens Brigade. That he marched from Middleborough through Wrentham Franklin and other towns to Weston and from thence to Springfield where we first mustered. Marched from thence to Westport where we were stationed and served for the most of the time until the term of six months expired, although we were occasionally called to various places in that region. and served. That the above named officers were known to him. And that Nathan Hatch and Col. Abel Robinson and others of the same town with him enlisted and served with him in the same Campaign. That he was dismissed by order of discharge at Westport about two hundred miles from home. That he since lost his discharge and has never had it. He knows the person says he was left an orphan.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
Hiel Freeman Mark
6/17/1832 We John Ferguson a clergyman, residing in the town of
Littleborough and Noah Clapton residing in the same Town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Hiel Freeman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy seven years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day & year last as aforesaid. John Ferguson Noah Clapton
H. Gaylies, Judge of Probate
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that John Ferguson, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Littleborough; and that Noah Clapton who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Town and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. Gaylies, Judge of Probate
I Anselm Bassett, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Bristol do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Hiel Freeman for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Anselm Bassett

17 421 INVALID.
No. 17 421
Abial Freeman
Dr Rev War
Act: Same 7" 82
Box: — Vol. 1 , Page 132
[Arrangement of 1870.]

10.283
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abiel Freeman which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? — no — Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
□ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
14. Certificate

State of Vermont } Guilford November 18 th 1829- Windham ss - }
Then Nathan Hatch of Halifax in the county of Windham and State of Vermont, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that he entered the service of the Army of the Revolution with our Abial Freeman of Littleborough in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts in the 1st Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Col. Vose and 2 nd Company commanded by Capt. Hill and Gen. Glover, a Brigade - in the month of June 1780 - And that they were in the service at West Point and else where until December - when they were discharged.
Nathan Hatch
State of Vermont } Windham ss - } Guilford the 18 th day of November A. D. 1829 -
Then Nathan Hatch personally appeared and after being lawfully examined and duly sworn, made solemn affirmation, that the foregoing deposition by him signed contains the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Before me Joshua Lynde Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont.
Windham County Court Clerk's Office, Brattleborough, Novem r 21st. 1829.
I certify that Joshua Lynde, Esquire, of Guilford, is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Windham aforesaid, and that the within is his signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County Court on the day and year above written.
James Elliot, Clerk.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Bristol ss May 23. 1833 This may Certify that the Subscription was formerly well acquainted with Nathan Hatch who has Subscribed and sworn to the within deposition that was a native of Attleborough in Bristol County that he removed into Vermont State some years ago have seen him occasionally since when he resided in Attleborough has sustained a good moral character I have never heard any thing against him since he left and I have no doubt but that he is a credible witness the great distance he resides from the deponent and his poverty is the cause of testifying this
Nathan Claplin Justice of Peace

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington — D.C. —

I David Brown of Attleborough in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts - a Revolutionary pensioner under the act of June 7th A.D. 1832 - Having seen a letter addressed to Noah Claplen Esq. by J. L. Edwards Commissioner of pensions - wherein it is stated, that the pension department has received information thought to be entitled to credit that I had transferred to him the said Claplen the right to my stipend as a pensioner - afore said - do most solemnly declare that I have never made any such transfer to him or any other person - that I have never had & have not now any will or intention of making any such transfer to any person whatever.
David Brown
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. June 9 - 1835 -
Personally appeared the above named David Brown and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed - before me
Abijah M. Gell Justice of the Peace
I William Sweetland of Attleborough in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts - a Revolutionary pensioner under the act of June 7th 1832 - Having seen a letter addressed to Noah Claplen Esq. by J. L. Edwards Commissioner of pensions - wherein it is stated that the pension department has received information thought to be entitled to credit - that I had transferred to him the said Claplen the right to my stipend as a pensioner afore said - do most solemnly declare that I have never made any such transfer to him or any other person - that I have never had & have not now any will or intention of making any such transfer to any person whatever.
William Sweetland
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. June 9 - 1835 -
Personally appeared the above named William Sweetland and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed -
before me Abijah M. Gell Justice of the Peace

I Nathan Richards of Attleborough County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a Revolutionary pensioner under the act of June 7 th 1832 - having been a letter addressed to Noah Claplen Esq. by J. L. Edwards - commissioner of pensions - wherein it is stated that the pension department has received information thought to be entitled to credit, that I had transferred to him the said Claplen, the right to my stipend as a pensioner aforesaid - do most solemnly declare that I have never made any such transfer to him or any other person that I have never had, and have not now any wish or intention of making any such transfer to any person whatever.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. June 9 th 1835 -
Personally appeared the above named Nathan Richards and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed.
before me - Abijah M. Pele Justice of the peace
I Abijah Freeman of Attleborough County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a Revolutionary pensioner under the act of June 7 th 1832 - having seen a letter addressed to Noah Claplen Esq. by J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of pensions - wherein it is stated that the pension department has received information thought to be entitled to credit, that I had transferred to him the said Claplen, the right to my stipend as a pensioner aforesaid - do most solemnly declare that I have never made any such transfer to him or any other person - that I have never had and have not now any wish or intention of making any such transfer to any person whatever.
Abijah Freeman mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. June 9 th 1835 -
Personally appeared the above named Abijah Freeman and made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is just & true.
Before me Abijah M. Pele Justice of the peace

I Cyril Smith of Attleborough County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts a Revolutionary pensioner under the Act of June 7 th 1832 - having seen a letter addressed to Noah Clapton Esq by J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions - wherein it is stated that the pension department has received information thought to be entitled to credit, that I had transferred to him the said Clapton the right to my stipend as a pensioner aforesaid - do most solemnly declare that I have never made any such transfer to him or any other person - that I have never had and have not now any wish or intention of making any such transfer to any person whatever
Cyril Smith
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. June 9 th 1835 -
Personally appeared the above named Cyril Smith and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed
before me Abijah M. Dole
Justice of the peace
I David Wilmarth of Attleborough, County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having seen a letter addressed to Noah Clapton Esq - by J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions wherein it is stated that the pension department had received information that Eliphaleth Wilmarth of said Attleborough a Revolutionary pensioner under the act of June 7, 1832 - who is my Grandfather & who deceased the 25 th of May last & in whose family I have always resided - had transferred to him the said Clapton the right to his stipend as a pensioner aforesaid, do most solemnly declare that he had not made any such transfer - and that his pension certificate was in his possession at the time of his decease, and that I am one of the Executors of the last will & Testament of said deceased & that said certificate is now in my possession -
David Wilmarth
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. June 15 - 1835 -
Personally appeared the above named David Wilmarth and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed - before me
Abijah M. Dole Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts —
Forsooth I, Asahel Bassett, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Abijah M. Ide is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and that the signatures to the affidavits on this sheet, purporting to be his, are his genuine signatures —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this sixteenth day of June Eighteen hundred and thirty five — A Bassett
ms of Messrs H.C.

I Obed Robinson of the age 69 years having been duly cautioned and sworn do testify and say that Abial Freeman of Milborne in the county of Bristol Commonwealth of Massachusetts was with me a whop Siseaman this campaign in the year 1780 at West point and other places near there in Capt. Millers company in Col. Vose's Regiment During the Service of the Revolution, he served the term of six months for which he enlisted and was honorably discharged.
Obed Robinson ✓
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss August 8 th 1832 Then the above Deemed deponent made oaths that the above Deposition by him subscribed is true according to his best knowledge and belief before me
Isaac Coffin Justice of Peace
Bristol ss May 6 th 1833
This may Certify that the subscriber is ad acquainted with O. Robinson who has subscribed and sworn to the above deposition that he is a respectable man and a credible witness
Isaac Coffin Justice of the Peace

I Elizabeth Wilmarth of the age of 77 years being duly cautioned and sworn do hereby certify that I entered the service of the Revolution in June 1778 with Abial Farnum of Athol in the County of Bristol Commonwealth of Massachusetts under Capt Caleb Richardson and we served six months and were honorably discharged about the first of June 1879 --- P. Elizabeth Wilmarth
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss May 10 th 1832 Then personally appeared the above named Elizabeth Wilmarth and made oath that the above deposition by her subscribed is true Before me Deacon Grafton Justice of Peace
Bristol ss May 16, 1833
This may certify that the subscriber is well acquainted with Elizabeth Wilmarth who has subscribed and sworn to the above deposition that he is a respectable man and a credible witness Deacon Grafton Justice of the Peace

I Richard Ide of the age of 70 years being duly sworn and sworn do testify and say that that Foreman of Middlebury in the county of Bristol Connecticut at Massachusetts was with me in the State Service in the revolutionary war in a three months campaign commencing about the first of January 1778 and ending about the first of April following Said Foreman served the whole term and was honorably discharged as I understand he served in Capt Moses Wetmore's Company, and we were stationed at Warwick in the State of Rhode Island under Col John Deyett Richard Ide
Bristol 13 August 8 th 1832 Then the above named Deponent made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true according to his best knowledge and belief before me
David Goffin Justice of Peace
Bristol 13 May 16 th 1833 This may certify that the subscriber is well acquainted with Richard Ide who has subscribed and sworn to the above deposition that he is a respectable man and a credible witness David Goffin Justice of the Peace

Joel Robinson of the age of 67 years being duly sworn do testify and say that that Abel Freeman of Middleborough in the County of Bristol Commonwealth of Massachusetts was with me in the State Service in the revolution war, I understood he enlisted and served six months in the campaign ending about the first of Janua- ry 1779 he served the first part of the time in under Capt Caleb Richardson, but in the course of term a new arrangement took place and Freeman was placed under the command of Capt Cale until the expiration of the six months the term he enlisted for and was then Honorably discharged.
Joel Robinson
Bristol ss August 8 th 1832 Then the above named deponent made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true according to his best knowledge and belief before
me Nath Hopkins Justice of Peace
Bristol ss Nov 16 1833
This may certify that the subscriber is well acquainted with Joel Robinson who has subscribed and sworn to the above deposition that he is a respectable man and credible witness
Nath Hopkins Justice of Peace

I Caleb Parmeter of the age of 74 years having been duly sworn and deposed and say that according to my best recollection and belief Abiel Furness of Milborne in the County of Bristol State of Massachusetts was in the service of the revolution In Providence Rhode Island in the autumn of 1779 for the sum of an hundred dollars under Capt. Grafton Robinson.
Caleb Parmeter
(Commonwealth of Massachusetts) County of Bristol ss } August 10 th 1832 I do hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the original now in my hands before me Nathan Cushing Justice of Peace
Bristol ss May 16. 1833 This may certify that the subscriber is well acquainted with Caleb Parmeter who has subscribed and sworn to the above deposition that he is an upright man and a considerable merchant
Nathan Cushing Justice of Peace